Corey Harris.When it comes to modern American music, all roads lead to the blues. Whether its a simple rhythmic idea like rock’s backbeat, or the harmonic structure that provides the framework for most pop music, it all starts with that classic African American art form. But while blues music is central to contemporary American music, it’s all-too-often seen as a museum piece, and not as a living, breathing form of expression. Musician Corey Harris, a MacArthur Fellow, aims to change that perception.
“Blues is like democracy and freedom, everyone has their own interpretation at this point,” said Harris during a recent interview with DCist. “It’s a traditional art form, but it speaks to a contemporary condition.”
With that mindset, Harris embarked on a journey to celebrate contemporary blues and present it to the public. The result is True Blues, a project he is kicking of with a concert on Sunday at the newly renovated Howard Theatre.
“I want people to go away with where [the blues] started and how it’s still here,” said Harris, describing why he settled on these particular artists. “It’s treasured world wide. It’s not so much treasured at home, it’s only paid homage to.”
The idea behind Sunday’s concert started as a collaboration between Harris and filmmaker Daniel Patinkin. In addition to staging the show, it will be filmed and recorded for future release by Concord Records. The two partners also have a bigger project in mind. They are raising money for a full length documentary to expand upon the “here and now” theme of True Blues.
“The film is more of an ‘on-the-road’ presentation of artists and their lives that would include other artists that I would like people to know more about,” explained Harris.
True Blues presents a wide array a voices from the blues spectrum. On the one hand is Harris, who is known from incorporating reggae and West African influences into a blues aesthetic. On the other is the headliner, blues legend Taj Mahal, who personifies the blues and is someone who has played with all of the genre’s giants over a career spanning more than 40 years. Also on the bill is Shemekia Copeland, the reigning Queen of the Blues who sings in the footsteps of Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith and the recently departed Etta James. Rounding out the lineup are Alvin Youngblood Hart and Guy Davis. District native Phil Wiggins, one of the country’s best harmonica players, will also be performing as a special guest.
The artists performing on Sunday illustrate that the blues is about more than screaming guitar solos, celebrating good times, or lamenting bad times. These performers have a subtlety to them that has always been a part of this music, and Harris hopes to capture that through True Blues.
“It can still be a vehicle or a way to transmit a message,” he said. It’s really a music that’s a book of life.”
True Blues takes place on Sunday, April 22, 2012 at the Howard Theatre. 8 p.m. Tickets are $49.50 in advance/$55 at the door. Those who wish to donate to the True Blues project may visit its IndieGoGo website.
